MILITARY DUI OR DWI

While driving on the roads of a military base, you are not subject to the state’s DUI/DWI laws, but instead required to follow the drunk driving laws of the federal government. If you are caught drunk driving, you will not only face serious penalties, but will also be required to go through the stressful process of a court-martial. While you can choose to accept the military officer assigned to your defense, you may find it is far more advantageous to hire a civilian Attorney admitted to the United States Court of Military Appeals to help you fight these charges.

If you work with a civilian representative, be sure that he or she is familiar with the processes that take place in a military court system, as these are largely different than those seen in civilian courts. Unlike a typical American court system trial, only two-thirds of the jury –not every member- needs to find you guilty in order for you to be convicted of the crime. That means your New Jersey DUI attorney needs to do even more work to prove that you are innocent of all charges.

Additionally, sentencing in these courts is largely different from those in a civilian court. Rather than merely risking jail time, fines and lost driving privileges, drunk drivers on military bases are chancing dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank, time in the brig, pay reductions, forfeiture of pay, forfeiture of allowances and fines. What’s even more unsettling is that there are no standard sentencing guidelines for these trials, which means even a first-time conviction could leave you subject to any and all of these punishments. It is easy to see just how critical a top New Jersey DUI lawyer can be in your military drunk driving case.

If you were arrested for drinking and driving on a military base, or are in the Military and were arrested for DUI, please call the SIMON LAW GROUP 800-709-1131 and schedule a free initial consultation with a skilled New Jersey Military DUI/DWI attorney.